Lawmakers push for action against Islamic State

Members of Congress are pressing President Barack Obama to take decisive action against the Islamic State militants who have taken over large parts of Iraq and Syria, and could try to attack the U.S.

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By Associated Press

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By Associated Press

Posted Aug. 31, 2014 at 9:21 PM

By Associated Press

Posted Aug. 31, 2014 at 9:21 PM

Members of Congress are pressing President Barack Obama to take decisive action against the Islamic State militants who have taken over large parts of Iraq and Syria, and could try to attack the U.S.

Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain tells CBS the extremists "must be defeated, not contained," because they represent a direct threat to the U.S. Another senator, California Democrat Dianne Feinstein, called the Islamic State "extraordinarily dangerous" and said Obama may be overly cautious in his approach to dealing with the group.

New York Republican Rep. Peter King, a member of the Homeland Security Committee, tells CBS' "Face the Nation" that "The longer we wait, the more dangerous" the group becomes. The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland, calls the matter "extremely urgent." But he also tells CNN's "State of the Union," ''you don't just rush in."